Yellowknife, N.W.T. - Barb Powless-Labelle, the outspoken member of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation looking to oust the current band council, has wrapped up her call for signatures to a petition.

The petition has called for the federal government to step in and take over day-to-day operations because of the council's alleged mismanagement and wide-spread corruption.

Powless-Labelle said the deadline to sign was July 21st and it appears she has the required 40% of band members needed to move things forward.

"We had an enormous response from the membership, and 99% of the members were from Yellowknife, that signed the petition."

However, the problem was not getting many signatures from band members outside of Yellowknife.

Powless-Labelle said communication with them was tough and nothing could be co-ordinated.

She said contact has been made with the Prime Minister's Office and they are being kept up to speed with the situation.

"I did get a letter from them just acknowledging the receipt of my information, and I will be sending the petition to the Federal Government, to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs."

Powless-Labelle is now hoping the federal government will keep the signatures private because some members are afraid of retribution.

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